Recently, the methods of quantum theory, especially quantum information, started to be widely applied outside of physics: in cognitive, social sciences, economics, finance, decision making and biology. We propose a quantum-like model: the “information laser”. The basic assumption is the discrete structure of state spaces related to the quantization of information. The information field acts in the form of indistinguishable quanta of “social energy” analog to photons. The massive flow acts as a pump. In this framework an information selection process by agents under constant pressure of massive repeated information leads to collective “resonance” effects in analogy with laser cavity and stimulated emission. In order to make operational parallels between physical lasers and the information laser we identify the essential features of laser operation. An application to the analysis of recent disruptive social events (color revolutions) is discussed.
Recently, the methods of quantum theory, especially quantum information, started to be widely applied outside of physics: in cognitive, social sciences, economics, finance, decision making and biology. We propose a quantum-like model: the “information laser”. The basic assumption is the discrete structure of state spaces related to the quantization of information. The information field acts in the form of indistinguishable quanta of “social energy” analog to photons. The massive flow acts as a pump. In this framework an information selection process by agents under constant pressure of massive repeated information leads to collective “resonance” effects in analogy with laser cavity and stimulated emission. In order to make operational parallels between physical lasers and the information laser we identify the essential features of laser operation. An application to the analysis of recent disruptive social events (color revolutions) is discussed.
Recently, the methods of quantum theory, especially quantum information, started to be widely applied outside of physics: in cognitive, social sciences, economics, finance, decision making and biology. We propose a quantum-like model: the “information laser”. The basic assumption is the discrete structure of state spaces related to the quantization of information. The information field acts in the form of indistinguishable quanta of “social energy” analogue to photons. The massive flow of information acts as a laser pump. In this framework, an information selection process by agents under constant pressure of massive repeated information leads to collective “resonance” effects in analogy with laser cavity and stimulated emission. In order to make operational parallels between physical lasers and the information laser we identify the essential features of laser operation. An application to the analysis of recent disruptive social events (colour revolutions) is discussed. Social analogues to the laser are also considered through the model of Echo Chambers induced by the Internet and Adam Smith’s invisible hand.
Recently, the methods of quantum theory (QT), especially quantum information and probability, started to be widely applied outside of physics: in cognitive, social and political sciences, psychology, economics, finances, decision making, molecular biology and genetics. Such models can be called quantum-like, in contrast to real quantum physical cognitive and biological models. Quantum-like means that only the information and probability structures of QT are explored. This approach matches the information interpretation of QT well (e.g., Zeilinger and Brukner, Fuchs and Mermin, D’Ariano), as well as the informational viewpoint on physics in general (e.g., Wheeler’s “it from bit” paradigm). In this paper, we propose a quantum-like model of an information laser by precessing the assumptions on the structure of state spaces of information processors, “information atoms” (i-atoms) and information fields. The basic assumption is the discrete structure of state spaces related to quantization of an information analog of energy. To analyze a possible structure of the state space of i-atoms leading to the possibility to create information lasers, we have to develop a purely information version of quantum thermodynamics. We did this by placing the main attention on the derivation of the conditions for the equilibrium of information exchange between i-atoms and a quantized information field.
This paper presents a comprehensive review of the Social Laser Theory (SLT) as a natural extension of the broader framework of Quantum-Like Modeling (QLM). While QLM applies the mathematical formalism of quantum theory — such as Hilbert space representations, interference, and non-commutative observables — to model context-dependent and non-classical phenomena in cognition, decision-making, and social behavior, SLT advances this approach by integrating concepts from quantum field theory. The theory conceptualizes social systems as ensembles of “social atoms” capable of absorbing and emitting quantized units of social energy. Under conditions analogous to population inversion in physical lasers, external informational stimuli (e.g. media signals or mobilizing rhetoric) can trigger coherence across the population, resulting in large-scale, synchronized collective actions such as protests or ideological shifts. SLT thus provides a formal framework for understanding the amplification and coherence of social energy leading to abrupt phase-like transitions in collective behavior. Beyond its metaphorical appeal, the theory proposes measurable quantities and predictive parameters that may support empirical diagnostics of sociopolitical dynamics. By bridging micro-level psychological processes with macro-level sociological phenomena, SLT extends QLM into the domain of complex social systems, offering a mathematically grounded paradigm for interpreting rapid transformations in contemporary societies.
The recent years were characterized by increasing interest to applications of the quantum formalism outside physics, e.g., in psychology, decision-making, socio-political studies. To distinguish such approach from quantum physics, it is called quantum-like. It is applied to modeling socio-political processes on the basis of the social laser model describing stimulated amplification of social actions. The main aim of this paper is establishing the socio-psychological interpretations of the quantum notions playing the basic role in lasing modeling. By using the Copenhagen interpretation and the operational approach to the quantum formalism, we analyze the notion of the social energy. Quantum formalizations of such notions as a social atom, s-atom, and an information field are presented. The operational approach based on the creation and annihilation operators is used. We also introduce the notion of the social color of information excitations representing characteristics linked to lasing coherence of the type of collimation. The Bose–Einstein statistics of excitations is coupled with the bandwagon effect, one of the basic effects of social psychology. By using the operational interpretation of the social energy, we present the thermodynamical derivation of this quantum statistics. The crucial role of information overload generated by the modern mass-media is emphasized. In physics laser’s resonator, the optical cavity, plays the crucial role in amplification. We model the functioning of social laser’s resonator by “distilling” the physical scheme from connection with optics. As the mathematical basis, we use the master equation for the density operator for the quantum information field.
This paper presents a comprehensive review of the Social Laser Theory (SLT) as a natural extension of the broader framework of Quantum-Like Modeling (QLM). While QLM applies the mathematical formalism of quantum theory . such as Hilbert space representations, interference, and non-commutative observables - to model context-dependent and non-classical phenomena in cognition, decision-making, and social behavior, SLT advances this approach by integrating concepts from quantum field theory. The theory conceptualizes social systems as ensembles of social atoms capable of absorbing and emitting quantized units of social energy. Under conditions analogous to population inversion in physical lasers, external informational stimuli (e.g., media signals or mobilizing rhetoric) can trigger coherence across the population, resulting in large-scale, synchronized collective actions such as protests or ideological shifts. SLT thus provides a formal framework for understanding the amplification and coherence of social energy leading to abrupt phase-like transitions in collective behavior. Beyond its metaphorical appeal, the theory proposes measurable quantities and predictive parameters that may support empirical diagnostics of sociopolitical dynamics. By bridging micro-level psychological processes with macro-level sociological phenomena, SLT extends QLM into the domain of complex social systems, offering a mathematically grounded paradigm for interpreting rapid transformations in contemporary societies.
During recent years our society has often been exposed to coherent information waves of high amplitudes. These are waves of huge social energy. Often they are of destructive character, a kind of information tsunami. However, they can also carry positive improvements in human society, as waves of decision-making matching rational recommendations of societal institutes. The main distinguishing features of these waves are their high amplitude, coherence (homogeneous character of social actions generated by them), and short time needed for their generation and relaxation. Such waves can be treated as large-scale exhibitions of the bandwagon effect. We show that this socio-psychic phenomenon can be modeled based on the recently developed social laser theory. This theory can be used to model stimulated amplification of coherent social actions. "Actions" are treated very generally, from mass protests to votes and other collective decisions, such as, e.g., acceptance (often unconscious) of some societal recommendations. In this paper, we concentrate on the theory of laser resonators, physical vs. social. For the latter, we analyze in detail the functioning of Internet-based echo chambers. Their main purpose is increasing of the power of the quantum information field as well as its coherence. Of course, the bandwagon effect is well known and well studied in social psychology. However, social laser theory gives the possibility to model it by using general formalism of quantum field theory. The paper contains the minimum of mathematics and it can be read by researchers working in psychological, cognitive, social, and political sciences; it might also be interesting for experts in information theory and artificial intelligence.